Books
Sherlock Holmes
by Tara Bartgis
Sherlock Holmes is a stylistic reinterpretation of the short stories and novels written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Robert Downey, Jr. stars as Holmes, and Jude Law is his faithful sidekick Dr. Watson. Both actors create believable, likeable characters.
The tone of this movie is its strength. Any screenshot from Sherlock Holmes is easily and quickly identifiable. Director Guy Ritchie gave the film a dark overtone and subdued color to bring 19th century London to life on the big screen.
While the performance of both actors is excellent, and the style of the film is distinctive, the plot is where the film’s weakness is. In this particular installation, Holmes has recently captured the serial killer Lord Blackwood. The happenings after this case are strange, to say the least. Black magic and the occult are the pair’s enemies, and it seems as though they won’t be able to solve this one with science, as usual. The plot does, however, keep the viewer engaged, using scenes of intense action and twists that keep the viewer’s brain focused on the mystery.
There is also some romance tied in to the movie; Watson is recently engaged, and Holmes’ on-again, off-again love interest Irene Adler (played remarkably by Rachel McAdams) is heavily involved in the mystery this time.
The film is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for “for intense sequences of violence and action, some startling images and a scene of suggestive material.” There is hardly any language, but lots and lots of action and violence.
Overall, the film was enjoyable, although bizarre. If you like intellectual movies that include mystery, romance, and action, you’ll enjoy this film. Sherlock Holmes is still playing in theaters.
Disney/Pixar's Up
by Tara Bartgis
Disney/Pixar’s latest collaboration, Up, was definitely a hit with all ages. The animated flick won an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film.
The story revolves around Carl Fredrickson, an elderly man with no children whose wife has passed away. When businessmen threaten Carl’s home and others are trying to force him into a nursing home, he decides to fulfill the dream he and his wife had of traveling to a distant place called Paradise Falls. To accomplish this, he attaches thousands of brilliantly-colored, helium-filled balloons to his house.
He accidentally acquires a traveling companion by the name of Russell, a young Wilderness Scout who is looking to fulfill the requirements of his “Assisting the Elderly” badge. Along the way, they also meet a lovable talking dog, a large chocolate-eating bird, and several other intriguing characters.
As Christians, we can take an excellent moral from the story: some dreams may go unfulfilled or be unfulfilling, but we are still extraordinarily blessed.
Like any Disney/Pixar film, Up has moments that will touch even the coldest of hearts. The majority of the movie, however, is full of hilarious dialogue and slapstick humor, which in turn fills the room with uproarious laughter from viewers in all walks of life.
Up is rated PG by the MPAA for “some peril and action.” Some of the themes in the movie are a tad mature for young children, but it is enjoyable for all ages nevertheless.
Evangel students can now borrow Up on DVD from the Klaude Kendrick Library.
The Last Song
by Tara Bartgis
Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth star in Nicholas Sparks' latest adaptation The Last Song. Ronnie (Cyrus) is a rebellious teenager who has been sent to stay with her estranged father for the summer, along with her younger brother. What follows is typical Nicholas Sparks. Summer romance and family quarrels result in a touching ending that seems extremely familiar to anyone who has seen any other Sparks adaptations.
The main difference in this particular movie is the fact that Sparks adapted the novel himself. He wrote the screenplay and the novel simultaneously, all the while having Cyrus in mind for the part of Ronnie.
The acting is where the film fails. Cyrus is a mediocre actress at best; and in my opinion should stick to comedy designed for six-year-olds. Hemsworth is only slightly better. Greg Kinnear gives a decent performance as Ronnie's dad—not as good as in Little Miss Sunshine, but about as good as can be expected from this genre of film.
The real unsung hero of the film is Bobby Coleman, who plays Ronnie's younger brother Jonah. This kid can act. So far. Who knows what all the fame will do to his head—he could be the male Miley Cyrus. But at least for now, Coleman shows more emotion than all of the other characters combined, and portrays it in a believable and touching way.
While the film might not have been Oscar material, fans of the novel will be pleased to see that Sparks made only a few minor changes to his own screenplay. The integrity of the story is kept intact. Overall, I give the film a 2.5 out of 5 stars. I enjoyed it, as many have, but I don't plan on watching it again.
Nick Jonas and the Administration
by Misty Clay
Nick Jonas steps out from the shadow of his band of brothers to debut a new band, The Administration, with his solo album, Who I Am. The album has a completely different feel than anything he has recorded to date. Some of his younger fans won’t like it, but it’s a major step musically. He mixes ‘70’s funk sound with a pop/rock mix and comes up with an album that sounds very raw, authentic and almost bluesy.
The lead single and title track “Who I Am” is a rock song that is the closest to his Jonas Brothers roots as he comes. Several of the other songs on the album, as well as the band name, play off his interest in the presidency, not that they are political, just that they‘re symbolic to the presidency. “Olive & an Arrow” is a mellow song about a girl who can’t make up her mind who she wants to be, “Conspiracy Theory” is high-tempo song that describes, well, I’m not real sure. Just that somewhere there is a cover up and something is going wrong, could be a girl, could be an alien, nobody really knows.
“In the End” is a song about a girl who has turned her back on the lovesick singer. “Last Time Around” is slightly angry song about a past love. The girl has been less-than-kind to the singer, but he can’t move on and asks her to remember all the fun they had before. “State of Emergency” is a Stevie Wonder-esque song. It sounds a lot like “Superstitious” but it’s not. The girl is seductive, and now how to get what she wants, it’s a warning song, both to the new guy and the girl, saying “don’t make this a state of emergency.” In case you missed it, most of the songs on the album are about a girl.
He does one cover on the album, “Tonight,” a song that was first released on the Jonas Brothers’ third album A Little Bit Longer. Nick slows the song down and adds his own ‘70’s twist to the Jonas Brothers favorite. He ends the album out with the anthem “Stronger (Back on the Ground).” A song he wrote with the members of the band Leeland.
When listening to the album, go in with an open mind. Don’t just write him off as a Disney act with no real talent, give the boy some credit. He writes his own music and managed to keep up with some musicians much more experience than himself. Even if the Jonas Brothers don’t survive, Nick Jonas will be around for a while.
Songs to download: “Stronger (Back on the Ground)” and “Last Time Around”
Rating: 3 out of 4 stars.
Copeland: "You Are My Sunshine
by Alyseia Smith
Indie-pop quintet, Copeland, have been creating music with an interesting blend of soothing and creatively orchestrated music since they first performed in 2000. From their debut, “Beneath Medicine Tree” in 2003 to edgier “In Motion” in 2005, and intricate “East, Sleep, Repeat” in 2006, Copeland continues to raise their artistic bar.
The band’s latest album, “You Are My Sunshine,” on their new label, they continue that creativity and raise the bar once again. Copeland, Aaronn Marsh (vocals, guitar, piano, organ, mellotran), Bryan Laurenson (guitar, backing vocals), Stephen Laurenson (guitar) and Jonathan Bucklew (drums) are currently on their fair well tour, and “You Are My Sunshine” is an album they can be happy to leave on.
The album opens with “Should You Return,” a classic Copeland song featuring Marsh’s sweet vocals and soft playing of the piano in the background. After about 30 seconds, drumming and light electric guitar create a pace for the rest of the song which is sure to be a fan favorite.
The album’s first single, “The Grey Man” is track two and follows the same formula as “Should You Return.” The song features a bridge with Marsh’s falsetto that brings the song to high emotional depths. “And when you finally think its gone, your’e gonna run back into her arms”
“Good Morning Fire Eater” is an upbeat song that stays away from the over all feel of the album. The difference is welcomed however because of the pleasing cello playing, and sythesizer sounds that complete the whole song.
“On The Safest Ledge” is the most lyrically brilliant song of the whole album. Featuring Marsh’s voice again, he sings with steady music rising beneath him, "Don't look ahead, just run to me. Each step will find the next one, recklessly. We'll find ourselves on the safest ledge. Well pardon me, I couldn't help myself. We'll fall into your life here. If falling for awhile, well, I'm here.”
“Not So Tough Found Out” is one of Copeland’s most ambitious efforts because the song it over 10 minutes long. Where it doesn’t break any new realm in the sounds of Copeland, it is consistently beautiful non the least.
Over all, “You Are My Sunshine” is an album Copeland can be extremely happy with. It is an album one can sit back, relax and get lost in the beautiful melodies and touching lyrics.
HuHot: Mongolian Grill Review
By Claire Hoehamer
When picking a restaurant, especially for a date, there are a few important things to consider. These often include the price, the atmosphere, and the service. HuHot is a good dining choice for a big group, a small party of friends, or even a special occasion dinner.
The servers and hostesses are very courteous and friendly. They add to the dynamic atmosphere of the restaurant. When you enter the restaurant you are immediately greeted. They do not accept reservations, but if you are arriving with a large group, it is okay to call ahead. The scheduling is very prompt, and the hostesses do a great job of keeping track of the tables and waiting list. While waiting, oftentimes a server will bring out a sample of an appetizer for you to enjoy. This practice helps make you feel valued and appreciated even though you are waiting for your dining experience.
The atmosphere is fun and inviting. The design and decorations are trendy and appealing to the eye. What makes HuHot unique is that you get to design your own meal. Walking over to the grill area, you pick up a bowl and begin to fill it with your choice of meat, noodles, veggies and also a variety of sauces. This allows room for creativity, but if someone would prefer suggestions there are recipe cards at each table.
After you pick out what ingredients you want with your meal, you take it to the grill. There you watch as trained chefs chop up, divide and cook your meal in front of you. It is interesting and entertaining to watch. Following the preparations, the chefs scoop up the meal, put it on a plate and hand deliver it. The grill is buffet style, and one dinner purchased allows you to revisit the grill until you get full or run out of creativity with all the different choices of ingredients--whichever comes first.
The food itself is delicious. The fact that you can make your own selection of what goes into the meal adds to the appeal. There are so many options that it would be difficult not to find a combination for even the pickiest eater.
The average meal without an appetizer at HuHot is roughly $12. This makes for a nice dinner without beingoutrageously priced. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, HuHot provides a fun atmosphere, wonderful service and overall an enjoyable dining experience.
Flame's Red Room
By Alyseia Smith
When looking for a restaurant with a unique atmosphere, great taste, and is easy on the wallet, Flame’s “Red Room” is a great selection. Flame restaurant and wine bar makes up the upper portion of the restaurant, and the “Red Room” is located down stairs.
When entering the restaurant, the twisting staircase to access the “Red Room” is located on the right side of the restaurant. After descending the stairs one is greeted by a room glowing with red lights with trendy decorations and music. The comfortable lounge chairs located around the tables give the room a “make yourself at home” feel.
The wait staff is very friendly and very quick to take your order. The wait time for food is very minimal as well. If the atmosphere and service doesn’t get your attention the food specials will. From 4-6 pm on Monday- Saturday the “Red Room” has cheeseburger and calamari specials for only $3.50. The cheeseburger is a large size with all the toppings and large fries in a unique seasoning. The calamari comes in a large basket with a sauce for dipping. When looking for great food, an awesome atmosphere and an awesome price the Red Room is a great place to go! Flame restaurant is located downtown at 314 W. Walnut St.